AVM's Hayes Brings Operator's Perspective To Vender AftermarketTim SanfordST. LOUIS, MO - American Vending Machines has established a strong reputation and steadily expanded its operator clientele since its foundation in 1997. The company now is expanding, applying its used equipment refurbishing skills to contract remanufacturing for large clients, including Canteen Vending Services and Pepsi-Cola, and is becoming known outside its core Midwestern market area.

Obesity Crisis Challenges Industry, IFIC President Warns NAMA ConfabTim SanfordLAS VEGAS - Much of the controversy over appropriate public-policy approaches to combatting the increasing incidence of obesity in industrialized countries involves the question, "Is the food industry part of the problem, or part of the solution?" It's both, said Sylvia Rowe, president of the International Food Information Council, who keynoted the National Automatic Merchandising Association Spring Expo here.

Amusement Merchandisers Tip Their Hats To Bulk VendersMarcus WebbU.S.A. - Imitation, they say, is the sincerest form of flattery. If so, then bulk vending industry should konsider itself highly honored. For the past couple of years, operators of prize merchandisers have been morphing into bulk vending operators, and vice versa. Now the merchandising machines themselves appear to be following the same trend. The latest generation of prize merchandisers , particularly of the non-crane variety , reveals a distinct influence from bulk vending equipment in terms of features, prize types and presentation, not to mention awareness of target customer segments.

Mountain Coin's Kingston Sees Stability Returning To DistributionMarcus WebbSALT LAKE CITY - Something about the American West's big skies and endless horizons seems to foster an optimistic, can-do spirit. That is certainly the case with Elden Kingston, president of Mountain Coin Machine Distributors, based here. Kingston, who has 42 years of experience in this industry, says that good machines are available today; operators are "hungry" for strong, new equipment; sales are up; and, despite a lengthy period of consolidation, the surviving distributors and operators are stronger, better businesses. "You just have to work a little harder to make the same amount of money today, that's all," Kingston told VT.

Personal Touch And Leagues Cement Location Loyalty For Iowa OperatorMarcus WebbDES MOINES, IA - Ever heard of an operator who runs electronic darts almost exclusively? Well now you have, and he's quite successful at it, too. Alan Russell of Hawkeye Dart, headquartered here, also runs a few eight-liners. In fact, he has served as president of the Iowa Operators of Music & Amusements Association for the past three years as the organization successfully lobbied to legalize eight-liners. But darts are really Russell's forte. His life is one long round of dart operation, league promotion, player and dart-location visits.

Gumballs And Confections Expand With Specialty, Branded ItemsHank SchlesingerU.S.A. - When speaking with operators, suppliers and manufacturers about ball gum and confections, several things become apparent almost immediately. Ball gum and confections are either doing "great," "terrific" and "amazing," or they are "so-so," "leveling off" or being edged out of key locations by high-bounce balls, capsuled items and flat vendibles.